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Geophysical Monitoring of Simulated Clandestine Graves Using Electrical and Ground-Penetrating Radar Methods: 0–3 Years After Burial

Pringle, Jamie K.; Jervis, John R.; Hansen, James D.; Jones, Glenda M.; Cassidy, Nigel J.; Cassella, John P.

Geophysical Monitoring of Simulated Clandestine Graves Using Electrical and Ground-Penetrating Radar Methods: 0–3 Years After Burial Thumbnail


Authors

John R. Jervis

James D. Hansen

Glenda M. Jones

Nigel J. Cassidy

John P. Cassella



Abstract

This study provides forensic search teams with systematic geophysical monitoring data over simulated clandestine graves for comparison to active cases. Simulated "wrapped" and "naked" burials were created. Multigeophysical surveys were collected over a 3-year monitoring period. Bulk ground resistivity, electrical resistivity imaging, multifrequency ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and grave and background "soil-water" conductivity data were collected. Resistivity surveys revealed the naked burial had consistently low-resistivity anomalies, whereas the wrapped burial had small, varying high-resistivity anomalies. GPR 110- to 900-MHz frequency surveys showed the wrapped burial could be detected throughout, with the "naked" burial mostly resolved. Two hundred and twenty-five megahertz frequency GPR data were optimal. "Soil-water" analyses showed rapidly increasing (year 1), slowly increasing (year 2), and decreasing (year 3) conductivity values. Results suggest resistivity and GPR surveys should be collected if target "wrapping" is unknown, with winter to spring surveys optimal. Resistivity surveys should be collected in clay-rich soils.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 13, 2011
Online Publication Date Apr 17, 2012
Publication Date 2012-11
Publicly Available Date May 26, 2023
Journal Journal of Forensic Sciences
Print ISSN 0022-1198
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 57
Issue 6
Pages 1467 - 1486
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02151.x
Keywords forensic science, forensic geophysics, clandestine grave, monitoring, electrical resistivity, ground-penetrating radar, conductivity
Publisher URL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02151.x

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